Do you agree that working in childcare is built on passion?
Childcare has previously been a job that was built on passion and an adoration of working with children under five. This use to be enough to gain you a job within early years setting with qualifications taking a back seat, however, more and more is being done to up skill the workforce. Some would argue enough is not being done to up-skill the workforce; others feel it is irrelevant to upskill the workforce, and the passion of people are enough to support children through their early year’s education.
Although currently there are many opportunities for practitioners to gain further qualifications in early year’s education including degrees, many do not take the step of progression. This is because they feel they have enough experience and passion to help every child achieve their best. However, it is now argued that this is not enough!
Why is passion no longer enough to work in childcare?
More research than ever before is highlighting the importance of a high-quality early education . If a child has not reached expected levels of development by the time they have reached the age of 5 studies have shown that that child will struggle to catch up and will have lower life chances because of this.
Studies have also shown that the highest quality practice and provision come from those settings which employ graduate leaders and practitioners. These practitioners have completed an extra three years of training into child development, each area of the EYFS in great detail, management and leadership, business skills and a variety of other areas. It is because of this additional knowledge and training that practitioners can offer the best support and meet individual needs of the children fully.
Times are changing
Many people would argue that times are changing in the early years, and more qualified practitioners are needed within early years settings. Although currently, the pay scale does not reflect the time, dedication and level of knowledge that practitioners with degrees. Soon early years settings will need these practitioners and will need to find extra money to employ them. Early years advocates will continue to push for graduate leaders and practitioners because of the support and knowledge they can equip children with. Passion is important, and a well-driven team can achieve outstanding practice. However the most passionate of practitioners will have acted upon this passion and gained further qualifications because of this. All children need to be able to achieve expected levels of development by the time they leave the foundation stage at 5 to give them the best possible life chances for the future. Therefore it is crucial that more is being done to entice practitioners into taking the next step and completing further qualifications so this can happen.
Passion is important, and a well-driven team can achieve outstanding practice. However many passionate practitioners will have acted upon their passion and gained further qualifications because of this. All children need to be able to achieve expected levels of development by the time they leave the foundation stage at 5 to give them the best possible life chances for the future. Therefore it is crucial that more is being done to entice practitioners into taking the next step and completing further qualifications so this can happen.